The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-07-08
CHAPTER XIX.



Within a week or so of his arrival, Mr..
Plowden, in his character of spiritual adviser
to the motley Kesterwick flock paid a eere-
monious call on the Misses Ceswick. They
were all at home.
Miss Ceswicll and Florence welcomed him
graciousy; Eva politely, but with an air
which said plainly that he interested her not
at all. Yet is was to Eva that he chiefly di
rected himself. He took this opportunity to
inform them all, especially Eva, that he felt
the responsibilities of his position as locum
tenens to weigh heavily upon him. He APP
pealed to them all, especially Eva, TO help
him to bear his load. He was going to insti-
tute a new system of district visiting. Would
they all, especially Eva, assist him! If they
would the good work was already half done.
There was so much for young ladies TO do.
He could assure them, from his personal ex-
perience, that one visit from young lady,
however useless she might be in "a general
way, which his instinct assured him these
particular young ladies before him were not,
had more influence with distressed and god
less family than six from well meaning but
unsympathetic clergymen like himself. Might
he rely on their helpi
81 am afraid that am too old for that sort
of thing, Mr.. Plowden," answered Miss Ces-
wick. "You must see what you can do with
my nieces."
Il am sure that l shall be delighted to
help" said Florence, "f Eva will bear me
company. always feel II shyness about in
truding myself into cottages unsupported"
"Nour shyness is not surprising, Miss Ces-
wick. | suffered from it myself for many
years, but at last | have, am thankful to
say, got the better OF it. But am sure that
we shall not appeal TO your sister in Vain.n
81 shall ba erlal tp bal hot I
can do any good" put in Eva thus directly
appealed to- "but must tell you l have no
great faith in myself
"Do the work, Miss Ceswick, and the faith
will come; sow the seed and the tree will spring
up, and bear fruit, too, in season. "
There was no reply, so he continued: "Then
have your permission to put you down for
q district"
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Plowden," answered Flor
ence win you take some more teal"
Mr.. Plowden would take no more tea, but
went on his way to finish the days work he
had mapped out for himself-for he worked
hard and according TO Il strict rsle-refiect-
ing that Eva eeswick was the loyeliess
woman he had ever seen
81 think that we must congratulate you on
conquest Eva" said Miss Ceswick, cheer
fully, as the front door closed. "Mr. Plow-
NN' ''S'Ni hS'h hio V9 oh YOU anu ItdllyS
my dear, do, not wonder at it, you look
charming
Eva flushed up angriy.
Nonsense, auntW she said, and left the
room.
"Really,r said Miss Ceswick, II don't know
what has come to Eva lately she is so very
strange"
81 expect that you touched her ON a sore
point. rather fancy that she has taken a
liking to Mr., Plowden," said Florence, dlyly,
sob, indeed, answered the old lady, nod,
| ding her head wisely.
IN due course district was assigned to the
two Misses Ceswick, and for her part Eva was
| glad of the occupation, 1t brought her a
good deal into contact with Mr. Plowden
which was not altogether pleasant to her, fol
she cherished a vague dislike of the clergy
man, and did not admire his shifty eyes But
as she got TO know him BETTER she could fine
nothing to justify her dislike He was not
| 1t is true, quite a gentleman, but that was hi
| misfortune, His manner 10 herself was sub
dued and almost deferential; he never in
| truded himself upon her society, though
somehow he was in it almost daily. Indeed
he even succeeded in raising her TO some en-
thusiasm about her work, a quality in whicl
| poor Eva had of late been sadly lacking. Sh
thought him a very good clergyman, witt
his heart in his duty, but she disliked him al
| 80 zss'r>
TO BE CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT